‘Nah, I’m hungry again, though. I’m gonna have another sandwich, want one?’

Terry chuckled. ‘Go on then, you greedy fucker.’

As Stuart and Terry jovially stuffed their faces with BLT sandwiches, neither man had a clue that both Jed and Jimmy were in separate motors on the M74. Worse still, they were getting closer to the Mercedes Sprinter by the minute.

Still unaware that Georgie and Harry were now with her father, Frankie was becoming more deranged by the second. Hearing no news was doing her head in, but having to deal with a houseful of people as well was literally driving her insane.

‘Bleedin’ starving, me and your grandfather are. When we gonna eat?’ Joyce asked in her hard-done-by voice.

‘Can we have McDonald’s, Mummy, please?’ Brett asked, jumping up and down.

‘No, we bloody well can’t,’ Frankie yelled, at the end of her tether. She stormed out to the kitchen and was followed by a very worried Joey.

‘Look, I know this is an awful time for you, but for fuck’s sake chill out and have a glass of wine or something. You’ve been shouting at Brett all day and you can’t take your frustration out on him. He doesn’t understand what’s going on, does he? He’s only bloody seven.’

Knowing her brother was entirely right, Frankie felt guilty, then started to cry. Joey put his arms around her and hugged her to his chest. He couldn’t begin to imagine the anguish Frankie was going through, but sometimes he had to be cruel to be kind.

‘It’s Nan that’s doing my head in. She’s been knocking back the brandy and Baileys all day as though she’s at a fucking party. Can’t you get Dom to take her and Grandad over yours for the night? There’s too many people here and I’m just not in the mood to socialise.’

‘I know Nan’s brain damage, Frankie, but her and Grandad are getting ever so old. They’re in their seventies now, and they mean well deep down. Why don’t I order us all a takeaway? I’m sure once Nan’s eaten that and had a few more drinks, she’ll be ready for bed anyway. We’ll give her some wine, that should knock her out,’ Joey joked.

Frankie nodded. Her brother always calmed her down, that’s why she loved him so much. ‘Pour me a glass of wine, then,’ she said.

‘Are you OK, Frankie?’ Babs asked, poking her head around the door.

‘I’m fine, mate. Go in there with Dom and entertain the kids and Nan and Grandad for me while I have a little chat with Joey,’ she replied.

Joey handed Frankie her wine and poured himself one as well. He held his glass up and clinked it with hers. ‘Here’s to Dad working his magic and bringing the kids home safely.’